Tradition and exceptional staff - that’s the secret behind Cornwall’s most loved pasties – according to the family behind Philps Famous Pasties.

In August Cornwall Live launched an online poll to find out, in the eyes of our readers, who served up the best crimped cuisine in Cornwall. Thousands of votes were cast and many comments left, but in the end Philps Bakery, based in Hayle but with six shops all across west Cornwall, came out on top with 1,800 votes.

“We’re delighted”, said Nina Philp – granddaughter of Sammy Philp who set up the business in the 50s. “It’s really amazing, to be recognised as one of the best is a proud feeling for us.

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“We would like to say a massive thank you to everyone who voted, everyone who buys our pasties and especially our amazing staff. Some have been with us for decades and they are truly the main reason behind our success.”

The final results of Cornwall Live's Pasty Poll 2017.

When tasked with the very deep and testing question of what goes into making Cornwall’s best pasty Sam Philp agreed with his cousin – the efforts of a talented and loyal group of staff.

“I think it’s also being traditional too,” he added. “Not a lot has changed since 1958, our recipe still works, so we just carry that on. We just try and maintain it, not tampering with it too much.”

Some changes have been made over the years however, the interior of the shop on East Quay, Hayle has had a revamp and the family’s relatively new Camborne shop is going from strength to strength.

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The Philp family story is as impressive as the tasty treats they produce. It all started when straight-talking businessman and grocer Sammy - who sold vegetables from his own cart aged 15 - and his cousin, the talented baker, Everett Philp decided to make pasties for family grocery store, Clark’s.

Sammy took a box of them to the Cornish Arms, Hayle, for them to try – they proved to be a great success and public house became the first of its kind to sell pasties in the 1950s.

Sammy went on to sell them to the nearby Bucket of Blood soon after and as news of the in-demand pasties spread they began supplying to lots of other pubs in the area.

Rising sales and high demand led Sammy to purchase the first Philps shop at Foundry Hill for just £500 and he soon sold his grocery shop to focus on the bakery.

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We joined cousins Sam and Nina Philp at their Hayle Quay store on a VERY windy day to share the news.

Two new shops in Praze-an-Beeble and Marazion followed in the 90s, as did the fourth and new office premises on East Quay in Hayle, all of which have remained.

Sammy’s sons Neil, Paul and son-in-law David, took the reins in the 80s and indeed turned down an offer from a “luxury supermarket” who wanted the family pasty recipe. To this day the family say they have no regrets, as they want to hold onto their amazing legacy.

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Sammy continued to work six days a week until he passed away aged 90 in 2008. In the present day his grandchildren continue to run the thriving business, with around 100 members of staff, many from local families who have been with them for many years.

The latest new pasty outlet opened by the Philp family is in Camborne, but it's hoped that it will not be the last.

The business is always looking to expand, selling new merchandise and possible expanding across Cornwall. However, thankfully one thing will not be changing, that winning recipe.

Lucky pasties were not needed as Philps came out on top.

Philps were closely followed by The Cornish Bakery (1,500 votes) in second, Ann’s Pasties (664 votes) in third and Warrens in fourth (488 votes).

Thousands of people voted in our poll to finally solve the argument of who serves up the best pasty - well, until the next time someone asks the question.